John David Wolverton, best known to Star Wars readers as Dave Wolverton, the author of 1994’s The Courtship of Princess Leia, passed away in the early hours of this morning aged 64. Dave’s son Spencer posted this message on Wolverton’s official Facebook page.
Again this Dave’s son Spencer.
Dave has officially passed. He held on till all his children could say goodbye, then faded swiftly without pain. Thank you for all the kind words, messages, and memories.
After reading the countless messages and reflecting on my own experience, it is safe to say that my dad had a special way of seeing the potential in people. He will surely be missed.
Words can’t express the emotions of losing a loved one.
Wolvertons novel came at an early juncture in the post-Heir to the Empire era of Star Wars publishing, expanding the galaxy and introducing new worlds and characters that would go forward in the Star Wars story. In addition to Courtship, Wolverton wrote the Payback: The Tale of Dengar short story from Tales of the Bounty Hunters and in 1999 saw wrote two Jedi Apprentice entries, The Rising Force and The Hidden Past with Jude Watson as well as two entries in the Star Wars: Adventures series, The Hunt for Anakin Skywalker and Trouble on Tatooine in 2003.
Here’s a reminder of the contents of Courtship.
Darth Vader and the Emperor are dead, but the Empire lives on and the Alliance must continue the struggle with dwindling supplies of cash and resources. Princess Leia, seeking rich, powerful allies to bring into the Alliance and a new planet as a home for the influential refugees of Alderaan, considers a proposal that could tip the balance of power against the evil Empire. The Hapes consortium, a cluster of sixty-three high-tech worlds, is ruled by the Queen Mother, who wants Leia to marry her son, the dashing and wealthy Prince Isolder.
When Han Solo hears the news of Leia’s impending nuptials, he reacts with shock. Han always dreamed of marrying Leia himself, but in spite of his heroic exploits he feels that she sees him as nothing more than a shiftless rogue and Corellian pirate, unworthy of her hand. Now he makes a desperate last gamble to win her back. Tricking Leia into accompanying him, Han flees with her to the beautiful and untamed planet Dathomir, where he hopes to win her heart.
Fearing the imperious queen’s reaction to Han’s rash move, Luke Skywalker forms an unlikely alliance with Prince Isolder to track down the runaways. Luke has been traveling the far reaches of the galaxy in search of the scattered lore of the Jedi Knights. But when he, Artoo, and Isolder set off to Dathomir, Luke little suspects that it is only the beginning of an adventure that will lead to the discovery of an awesome treasure, a group of Force-trained “witches”…and a showdown with an invincible foe.
The Courtship of Princess Leia relives the swashbuckling epic of the Star Wars film trilogy as starcruisers battle for control of space, knights of a forbidden order rise again, and a pirate sues for the heart of a maiden.
Our condolences go out to Dave’s family, friends and colleagues.
